News24 | Trump's executive order 'lacks factual accuracy', says Lamola in parliamentary reply

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola says US President Donald Trump's executive order cutting aid to South Africa is based on "misinformation and falsehoods". (Roberto Schmidt/AFP)

• US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on 7 February cutting aid to South Africa, citing reasons such as the Expropriation Act.
• International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola stated Trump's executive order "lacks factual accuracy".
• Lamola was responding to a written question from IFP MP Albert Mncwango.

US President Donald Trump's executive order against South Africa "lacks factual accuracy", but his recent actions "offer both opportunities and challenges for Africa", said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola in response to a parliamentary question.

On 7 February, Trump issued an executive order in which the US cut aid to South Africa.

He cited several reasons, including the recently enacted Expropriation Act, what he considers the country's aggressive position towards the US and its allies, and government policies "designed to dismantle equal opportunity, education, and business, and hateful rhetoric and government actions fuelling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored [sic] landowners".

Under the leadership of South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency has been gutting government institutions, including USAID, which administers various aid programmes worldwide.

IFP MP Albert Mncwango asked Lamola "how Trump's executive order, which halts aid and promotes resettlement, impacted the current and future economic, humanitarian and research collaborations between the two nations" given the US was one of South Africa's largest trading partners.

He also asked, "what steps is the government taking to mitigate potential consequences on the country's economy and international partnerships, especially regarding the suspension of aid and assistance".

READ | US officials take steps to implement Trump's executive order on Afrikaner resettlement

Responding to the first part of the question, Lamola said South Africa ran the largest HIV/Aids prevention, testing, treatment and management programme across 52 districts at a total cost of R46.8 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.

"The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief [PEPFAR] supported by the US Agency for International Development [USAID] is responsible for only 17% of this budget across 27 districts in eight provinces."

He added the South African government funded 90% of the antiretroviral procurement, and the Global Fund was only responsible for the remaining 10%.

"Therefore, PEPFAR funding is only responsible for salaries and operational costs of the staff they appointed directly in the 27 districts.

"The SA government has assured all citizens that it will not allow a situation that leads to defaulting by any South African participating in the HIV/Aids prevention and management programme."

Lamola said National Treasury would work with the Department of Health to ensure the continuation of health services.

He added the government noted Trump's executive order cited "concerns over alleged discriminatory policies and human rights violations purportedly perpetuated through the Expropriation Act".

Lamola said: 

"According to the Expropriation Act, expropriation may occur where either land, assets, property or natural resources are required for projects that have economic or employment imperatives. This includes the delivery of much-needed basic services or opening economic opportunities which necessitate the expropriation of property.

"The Constitution defines public interest to also include land reform with an aim to redress past injustices from apartheid and colonialism.

"To this end, SA remains committed to finding diplomatic solutions to any misunderstandings or disputes in this regard. We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over land reform policy and bilateral issues."

READ | SA still holds US as strategic, historic partner, Ramaphosa tells MPs

Responding to the second part of Mncwango's question, he said: "The current decisions by President Trump offer both opportunities and challenges for Africa."

Lamola added South Africa would have to put its full force behind the acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area and how to merge this with the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA).

"We view AGOA in the context of a mutually beneficial trade relationship with the US, which includes abundant US access to our critical minerals, particularly the platinum group of metals and their downstream benefits in various industries and sectors in the US. This is a very important consideration that decision-makers must weigh across the board.

"Separately, South Africa needs to explore negotiations for alternative bilateral arrangements through the signing of the Free Trade Area with the US."

He said in terms of research collaboration, South African universities received a lot of funding, but mostly in philanthropy which was not affected by the executive order.

"Of concern is US funding via the US National Institute of Health particularly geared towards health research in the field of infectious diseases."

Relations between South Africa and the US have soured since Trump's return to the White House in January.

Influenced by right-wing disinformation, Trump has made several false statements about South Africa, often on his ironically titled social network, Truth Social.